Almost three years ago, Manny Pacquiao?s debut as a screen actor in the film Lisensyadong Kamao wilted under searing criticisms. The movie was a big flop. His producer, Violet Sevilla, whose Violet Films had produced the award-winning movie Magnifico, reportedly went into instant retirement on seeing her Pacquiao movie bomb.
Like any gallant fighter, Pacquiao will not give up his acting career easily. He may have lost in the political race in his hometown, but he believes that he still has a big chance to win movie stardom.
Now that he is everybody?s hero again, after indisputably proving he is Barrera?s master on October 6 in Las Vegas, Pacquiao is giving top priority to his new movie titled, Anak ng Kumander, which he himself is producing. The bosses of the Metro Manila Film Festival, an annual Christmas season event, have qualified the movie to compete in the festival. And it is one of the three movies that will be shown on January 1, 2008. In the filmfest rules, the lead actors of the official entries are automatically nominated in the lead acting categories, so don?t be surprised to find Pacquiao in the race for best actor.
?Everybody deserves a second chance,? he told me after the Metro Manila Film Fest screening committee revealed that his film is one of the last three entries to complete this year?s lineup. Months before his MP Productions submitted the script to the MMFF for consideration, Pacquiao is very positive that his next outing on the big screen would be more successful than Lisensyadong Kamao. He is also certain about being better prepared. He says he had gained confidence in being able to make a good new film because he had learned.
He has assigned his brother, Rogelio, to be the executive producer. The movie will be directed by Jose ?Kaka? Balagtas. Pacquiao, from time to time, reiterates he wasn?t kidding when he said he was not going to collect any talent fee for his work on the film.
The initial total budget for the film, a close aide of Pacquiao, told me is pegged at around P20 million. This figure does not include the budget for promotions.
Many reckon that Pacquiao doesn?t need the money he would earn from a blockbuster. Indeed the scores of US million dollars he has earned from his boxing victories are more than enough to sustain a comfortable lifestyle until his children grow up. He has also raked in a lot more millions from the endorsement deals he has, especially the one with San Miguel Corp. We learn that the SMC deal transcends talent fees and endorsement contracts for it is actually a long-term business partnership that also gives him commercial opportunities in General Santos City. Pacquiao has endorsed San Miguel Beer, Magnolia Ice Cream, La Tonde?a Rum and Magnolia Fresh Milk.
His co-actors are one in saying that they are well-taken care of during the shooting. Ara Mina, Pacquiao?s leading leady, agrees that the actors are treated very well and that the producers don?t scrimp on meeting their needs.
She also tells us that she has learned to brush aside a rumor linking her romantically with the boxing champ. ?Initially, I was very annoyed with the unending gossip, but lately I?ve learned to just take things in stride. I just do not react because the rumor shouldn?t be dignified at all. It?s kinda cheap if you think about it. In fact, I have even used it for some of my shows and concert performances. It now makes me laugh,? she said.
Ara plays an investigative journalist, which requires her to go to the mountainous areas of Nueva Ecija. ?I?m like Kara David and Maki Pulido [these are GMA 7?s popular broadcast journalists],? she says.
Aside from PacMan and Ara, also playing important roles are Dante Rivero as the Kumander (Pacquiao?s father), Lara Morena, Valerie Concepcion and Long Mejia (as Ara?s sidekick cameraman).
Pacquiao has commissioned his good friend and music producer Lito Camo to write the theme song. According to Camo, who flew to Las Vegas to watch the most recent boxing match of his friend, Pacquiao is a very focused person. ?He works hard to get what he wants. He also knows how to value friendship,? Camo said.
Ara confides that, for the moment, she hasn?t been informed when shooting for the remaining scenes of the film will resume, but she believes that the boxing champ will do everything to make sure that the movie is a polished and well-crafted product. ?His reputation is at stake in this film. I?m sure he will really make it a beautiful movie.?
